[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 88 (Monday, May 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24462-24463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9170]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket Number NHTSA-2004-19187]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: This notice solicits public comments on continuation of the 
requirements for the collection of information on safety standards. 
Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the 
public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit 
public comment on proposed collections of information, including 
extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.
    This document describes a collection of information on seven 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSSs) and one regulation, for 
which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval. The information collection 
pertains to requirements that specify certain safety precautions 
regarding items of motor vehicle equipment must appear in the vehicle 
owner's manual.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice number cited at the 
beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, Room 
PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. It is requested, 
but not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket 
Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mrs. Lori 
Summers, NHTSA 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5307, NVS-112, Washington, 
DC 20590. Mrs. Summers' telephone number is (202) 366-4917. Please 
identify the relevant collection of information by referring to this 
Docket Number (Docket Number NHTSA-04-19187).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before a proposed collection of information is submitted to OMB for 
approval, Federal agencies must first publish a document in the Federal 
Register providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with 
members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed 
collection of information. The OMB has promulgated regulations 
describing what must be included in such a document. Under OMB's 
regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment 
on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public 
comments on the following proposed collections of information:
    Title: Consolidated Vehicle Owner's Manual Requirements for Motor 
Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0541.
    Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard form.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the 
approval date.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals, households, business, other for-
profit, not-for-profit, farms, Federal Government and state, local or 
tribal government.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: 49 U.S.C. 30111 
authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
(FMVSS) and regulations. The agency, in prescribing a FMVSS or 
regulation, considers available relevant motor vehicle safety data, and 
consults with other agencies, as it deems appropriate. Further, the 
statute mandates that in issuing any FMVSS or regulation, the agency 
considers whether the standard or regulation is ``reasonable, 
practicable and appropriate for the particular type of motor vehicle or 
item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is prescribed,'' and 
whether such a standard will contribute to carrying out the purpose of 
the Act. The Secretary is authorized to invoke such rules and 
regulations as deemed necessary to carry out these requirements. Using 
this authority, the agency issued the following FMVSS and regulations, 
specifying that certain safety precautions regarding items of motor 
vehicle equipment appear in the vehicle owner's manual to aid the 
agency in achieving many of its safety goals:

FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment,''
FMVSS No. 110, ``Tire selection and rims,''
FMVSS No. 202, ``Head restraints,''
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials,''
FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection,''
FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages,''
FMVSS No. 213, ``Child restraint systems,''
Part 575 Section 103, ``Camper loading,''
Part 575 Section 105, ``Utility vehicles.''

This notice requests comments on the information collections of these 
FMVSSs and regulations.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the 
information: In order to ensure that manufacturers are complying with 
the FMVSS and regulations, NHTSA requires a number of information 
collections in FMVSS Nos. 108, 110, 202, 205, 208, 210, and 213, and 
Part 575 Sections 103 and 105.
    FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated 
equipment.'' This standard requires that certain lamps and reflective 
devices with certain performance levels be installed on motor vehicles 
to assure that the roadway is properly illuminated, that vehicles can 
be readily seen, and the signals can be transmitted to other drivers 
sharing the road, during day, night and inclement weather. Since the 
specific manner in which headlamp aim is to be performed is not 
regulated (only the performance of the device is), aiming devices 
manufactured or installed by different vehicle and headlamp 
manufacturers may work in significantly different ways. As a

[[Page 24463]]

consequence, to assure that headlamps can be correctly aimed, 
instructions for proper use must be part of the vehicle as a label, or 
optionally, in the vehicle owner's manual.
    FMVSS No. 110, ``Tire selection and rims.'' This standard specifies 
requirements for tire selection to prevent tire overloading. The 
vehicle's normal load and maximum load on the tire shall not be greater 
than applicable specified limits. The standard requires a permanently 
affixed vehicle placard specifying vehicle capacity weight, designated 
seating capacity, manufacturer recommended cold tire inflation 
pressure, and manufacturer's recommended tire size. The standard 
further specifies rim construction requirements, load limits of 
nonpneumatic spare tires, and labeling requirements for non-pneumatic 
spare tires, including a required placard. Owner's manual information 
is required for ``Use of Spare Tire.'' FMVSS No. 110 will require 
additional owner's manual information on the revised vehicle placard 
and tire information label, on revised tire labeling, and on tire 
safety and load limits and terminology.
    FMVSS No. 202, ``Head restraints.'' This standard specifies 
requirements for head restraints. The standard, which seeks to reduce 
whiplash injuries in rear collisions, currently requires head 
restraints for front outboard designated seating positions in passenger 
cars and in light multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses. In 
a final rule published on December 14, 2004 (69 FR 74880), the standard 
requires that vehicle manufacturers include information in owner's 
manuals for vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2008. The 
owner's manual must clearly identify which seats are equipped with head 
restraints. If the head restraints are removable, the owner's manual 
must provide instructions on how to remove the head restraint by a 
deliberate action distinct from any act necessary for adjustment, and 
how to reinstall head restraints. The owner's manual must warn that all 
head restraints must be reinstalled to properly protect vehicle 
occupants. Finally, the owner's manual must describe, in an easily 
understandable format, the adjustment of the head restraints and/or 
seat back to achieve appropriate head restraint position relative to 
the occupant's head.
    FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials.'' This standard specifies 
requirement for all glazing material used in windshields, windows, and 
interior partitions of motor vehicles. Its purpose is to reduce the 
likelihood of lacerations and to minimize the possibility of occupants 
penetrating the windshield in a crash. More detailed information 
regarding the care and maintenance of such glazing items, as the glass-
plastic windshield, is required to be placed in the vehicle owner's 
manual.
    FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection.'' This standard 
specifies requirements for both active and passive occupant crash 
protection systems for passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, 
trucks and small buses. Certain safety features, such as air bags, or 
the care and maintenance of air bag systems, are required to be 
explained to the owner by means of the owner's manual. For example, the 
owner's manual must describe the vehicle's air bag system and provide 
precautionary information about the proper positioning of the 
occupants, including children. The owner's manual must also warn that 
no objects, such as shotguns carried in police cars, should be placed 
over or near the air bag covers.
    FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages.'' This standard 
specifies requirements for seat belt assembly anchorages to ensure 
effective occupant restraint and to reduce the likelihood of failure in 
a crash. The standard requires that manufacturers place the following 
information in the vehicle owner's manual:
    a. An explanation that child restraints are designed to be secured 
by means of the vehicle's seat belts, and,
    b. A statement alerting vehicle owners that children are always 
safer in the rear seat.
    FMVSS No. 213, ``Child restraint systems.'' This standard specifies 
requirements for child restraint systems and requires that 
manufacturers provide consumers with detailed information relating to 
child safety in air bag-equipped vehicles. The vehicle owner's manual 
must include information about the operation and do's and don'ts of 
built-in child seats.
    Part 575 Section 103, ``Camper loading.'' This standard requires 
that manufacturers of slide-in campers designed to fit into the cargo 
bed of pickup trucks affix a label to each camper that contains 
information relating to certification, identification and proper 
loading, and to provide more detailed loading information in the 
owner's manual of the truck.
    Part 575 Section 105, ``Utility vehicles.'' This regulation 
requires manufacturers of utility vehicles to alert drivers that the 
particular handling and maneuvering characteristics of utility vehicles 
require special driving practices when these vehicles are operated on 
paved roads. For example, the vehicle owner's manual is required to 
contain a discussion of vehicle design features that cause this type of 
vehicle to be more likely to roll over, and to include a discussion of 
driving practices that can reduce the risk of roll over. A statement is 
provided in the regulation that manufacturers shall include, in its 
entirety or equivalent form, in the vehicle owner's manual.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information): 
NHTSA anticipates that no more than 21 vehicle manufacturers will be 
affected by the reporting requirements.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information: NHTSA estimates that all 
manufacturers will need a total of 2,615 hours to comply with these 
requirements, at a total annual cost of $6,279,172.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50.

    Issued on: May 4, 2005.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 05-9170 Filed 5-6-05; 8:45 am]
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